“PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES TO HELP BUSINESS INNOVATE AND GROW.”

Research & Development, Applied Research, and Commercialization

The Productivity & Innovation Centre (PIC) supports firms during all stages of business development, from concept to applied research to commercialization.

While PIC’s funding is allocated to the completion and implementation of productivity assessments, we will work with you to access provincial and federal programming that offers the support you need in these early stages of your business or project.

The Productivity & Innovation Centre and The Business Enterprise Centre work collaboratively to assist entrepreneurs to access funding through the NOHFC, which is the largest grant provider in northern Ontario for entrepreneurs and SMEs. We assist with identifying funding available, and reviewing/submitting applications to their programs. The NOHFC has two programs that assist with applied research and commercialization projects:

Applied Research and Technology Development Projects – program supports applied research and pre-commercialization activities at 50% grant funding up to $250,000. Eligible expenses include prototype engineering and design, internal technical labour, product testing, and intellectual property protection costs.

Pilot Demonstration and Commercialization Projects – program supports projects associated with scaling-up and demonstration of new and innovative technologies at 50% grant/loan funding up to $500,000. Eligible expenses include internal technical labour, material and building, product certification, marketing (tradeshow and materials), and demonstration prototype costs.

NEOnet – offers funding in two program streams to assist and encourage businesses to adapt innovative technologies.

STAMP – (Small Business Technology Assessment Monitoring and Planning) program provides up to $6,250 funding for the opportunity for businesses to have their Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) assessed by a qualified consultant. The program provides a framework to help business owners define their ICT objectives and ensure that the right technology is being implemented and used.